10 Skin Essentials for Hydration

A beauty routine is as unique as the face it is performed on. While I used to be the person to just splash water on a washcloth to wipe down my face, I have since changed my stance on the use of products for the purpose of improving skin. It is important to keep your skin elasticity at tip top shape in order to maintain youthfulness. Let’s face it, we all want that fresh face and smooth skin until we are old. Here are some skincare products I love to use on my face to hydrate it.

Korean skincare is amazing and really affordable. Washing your face daily to keep away the impurities helps the skin repair itself. The skin does a lot of work protecting our body from the fumes and debris of the outside world on a daily basis. We need to do our skin a solid and let the skin breathe after it has prevented the impurities from entering our body. The Face Shop has amazing cleansing foam that leathers well and has a fresh scent. The cleansing oil is also amazing at removing makeup (if you use it). It smells floral yet it isn’t overbearing. I highly recommend these products as a daily cleanse morning and evening.These do not dry out the face too much or strip oils from the face while leaving the face feeling clean. To top it off the pair is under $15 and lasts quite a while.

This is another one example of Korean genius when it comes to skin care. The high Vitamin C content of this serum is hydrating and does wonders on potential wrinkles or dark spots. Of course with any routine you should be consistent in the application, but this stuff is quite potent. It has a light citrus scent which is not too overbearing and goes on very thinly. I love that my skin feels hydrated yet not oily after application.

I got this sample in aBirchbox <<USA (Click here if you are in Europe and you’d like to check out Birchbox) and since then I have loved carrying this around to hydrate once and a while. My mom loves it too and she looks amazing. It is a maximum carry capacity for airplanes and I find it is just a nice boost when flying as we all know airplanes are quite drying.

This moisturizer is hydrating and easy to use. Again, Korean products tend to be affordable and effective. Nature republic is really great at creating a refreshing feeling without the thick oily texture. I always feel well taken care of with this daily moisturizer.

It’s really great to have a weekly treat for your face that provides collagen and other great nutrients to the skin. There is a variety of them on Amazon for less than $1 each. Just have a set time, listen to some music and relax for 20 minutes during the weekend after cleansing. Self care is really important for mental health and it’s calming from the stresses from the week. It reduces negativity and anxiety while boosting positive affect. The American Psychological Association did a study that affirmed these results (link here).

This one might be a little out of budget at $105 a bottle, but I do love it. It might smell a little like sour milk but I never regret putting it on the next day. My skin looks amazing and smooth. It fills out some fine lines that appear on my laugh lines and near my eyes as well as reduces redness on my acne. I highly recommend this product regardless of the undesirable smell. It’s another one that I tried through Birchbox and I won’t go back.

L’occitane is so wonderful, their products are so luxurious and makes me feel well cared for. This moisturizing cream, while on the pricier side is so smooth and applies so well. I love the smell, it is so pleasant (my significant other loves it too). Best of all it can be put on the really dry parts of your elbows and knees. I just adore the company and their products.

L’Occitane shower oil also has the delightful scent and it goes on the body deeply cleansing but not stripping away the body’s natural oils. Skincare is not limited to the face and you have to take care of your body too. Cleansing with an oil is great for getting rid of the dirt and grime since they are more oil based anyway. Normal soaps can be drying and I have not found that to be true with this product.

The drugs stores have now come out with the Avene products from France which is great because it is another quality brand with a slightly more affordable price tag. This emulsion is one of my nightly steps in the summer. It is great for moisturizing when your skin is on the oilier side. It is also good for winter since it does contain moisturizing properties. I use this when I have more acne and I don’t want to put richer creams on like the L’Occitane almond cream. I like that it tightens pores and reduces the appearance of blemishes.

SK-II is a Japanese brand and the essence is one of the most highly recommended products. Another one from Shiseido is also quite good but this one is just so refreshing and revitalizing. Essences are better than toners in the sense that they absorb into your skin and add moisture. Just put this on after cleansing and before serum like a regular toner and pat the skin gently for about a minute. Patting the skin increases absorption and circulation to the skin. Studies have shown that increased circulation reduces wrinkles.

These are just some of the products I have tried and really enjoyed there are quite a feel others that I enjoy but these ones stand out. If you’d like to see more write a comment and I will recommend other products. Since I’ve had a few subscription boxes over the past 3 years I can definitely provide that information.